United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday (12) that Iran should not participate in the next World Cup in North America, just days after telling the head of FIFA (International Football Federation) that they would be welcome despite the war in the Middle East.
“The Iran national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate for them to be there, for their own lives and safety,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s statements come one day after Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, stated that his country’s national team will not participate in the 2026 World Cup because of the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the start of attacks by the United States and Israel.
“Considering that this corrupt regime (in the United States) murdered our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” the minister told state television.
“Our children are not safe and, fundamentally, such conditions for participation do not exist,” said Donyamali.
“Given the malicious actions they carried out against Iran, they forced us into two wars in eight or nine months and killed and martyred thousands of our people. Therefore, we certainly cannot have such a presence,” the Iranian minister added.
Donyamali’s speeches came just hours after the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, stated that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, had promised him that he would welcome Iran’s team to the 2026 World Cup, which takes place between June 11 and July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, without obstacles.
Iran is in Group G of the World Cup and has games scheduled in Los Angeles and Seattle, against Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt.
A Sheet found that, officially, no decision should be taken by the entity until Iran officially withdraws from the tournament. The one who has the power to do this is the Iranian Federation.
Nothing should change until this happens, including ticket sales.
Iran qualified for the World Cup through the Asian qualifiers alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Uzbekistan and Australia (which competes for the spot with Asian teams, not Oceania).
Iraq qualified for the intercontinental playoff, in which they will face the winner of Bolivia and Suriname. If Iran makes its withdrawal from the World Cup official in the coming days, the expectation is that FIFA will wait for the end of the play-offs to decide what to do with the vacancy.
The competition regulations provide that, in the event of exclusion of a selection already classified, the entity will decide on a replacement “at its sole discretion” and will take the actions deemed necessary.
With AFP
